Vickie McDonough and Free Books!

In the Oklahoma and Indian Territories, three impulsive young women have only themselves and their faith to rely on when trials wreck their dreams for tranquil futures.

Before we meet today's author, Vickie McDonough, and hear about her book, Oklahoma Brides, let's congratulate the winner of our Saturday drawing for Somaly Mam's memoir, The Road of Lost Innocence,

spunky82@ . . .

Congratulations, as well, to the winner of today's drawing for Susan Page Davis' newest novel, Treasure at Blue Heron Lake. That book goes to:

oceandreamerfla@. . .

Congratulations to both of you! I'll contact you for your snail mail addresses, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right in order to participate in future book give-aways!

And now let's meet novelist Vickie McDonough, author of Oklahoma Brides (Barbour Publishing, October 2008).


Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written seven Heartsong Presents novels and six novellas and has more books coming out next year. Her Heartsong book, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride, placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's 2007 annual contest. Her stories have also placed in several prestigious contests, such as the ACFW Noble Theme and Book of the Year contests, the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest, and the Texas Gold contest. She has also written book reviews for over seven years and enjoys mentoring new writers. Vickie is an Oklahoma native, wife of thirty-two years, mother to four sons, and has a two-year-old granddaughter. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.

Tell us a bit more about the Oklahoma Brides, Vickie.

Oklahoma Brides is a re-release of three Heartsong novels compiled into one book.



In Sooner or Later, Rebekah finds herself racing westward, away from the stepfather who is willing to barter away her virtue. Mason Danfield has lost his pregnant wife and sister, and is traveling to the Oklahoma Territory to find his brother-in-law so he can give the man his two young children, and then Mason will ride west, leaving behind all he has loved.

In The Bounty Hunter and the Bride, Katie is suddenly widowed and about to wed a man who's hiding a criminal lifestyle. Dusty has been chasing the man who killed his wife for over a year. Will capturing the man bring him the satisfaction that he needs?

In A Wealth Beyond Riches, Sasha leaves the New York theater world to find her only remaining relative in Indian Territory. Jim can't decide if the young woman who claims to be his employer's niece is for real or just a charlatan after the man's money.

Will these men and women slow down long enough to find faith and love waiting for them on the Oklahoma prairie?

Which character in your novel most interested you while you wrote? Why?

As a mother of four boys, I tend to focus more on my male characters than the female ones. I don't know if I could pick one as my favorite, since I loved all three of the tough, hurting males.

Why will readers enjoy your novel?

My books have lots of adventure, as well as a faith message that's gently woven in and not preachy. My characters find themselves in unusual situations that are tough to get out of.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Someone asked me this question not too long ago about my latest Heartsong book, Wild At Heart, so I'll answer about that one. It's the story of a female dime novelist who receives a letter from a North Dakota rancher who challenges her to get her ranching facts straight. He invites her to his ranch, but he expects a man, and not a hat-pin wielding woman who draws trouble like flies to a horse.





I'd like to see Christian Bale play, Adam, my hero and Reese Witherspoon play the heroine, Mariah.

By the way, readers, that excellent pencil drawing of Christian Bale was done by David J. Vanderpool.

Vickie, what facet of the writing craft comes easiest to you?

Thinking up new ideas. I've always had a creative mind and coming up with new ideas is pretty easy.

What do you struggle with in your writing?

Fleshing out my ideas so they aren't predictable and doing the actual writing are the hardest things for me.

Other than your writing, what is something about your life, right now, that thrills you?

After having four sons, we finally have a little granddaughter--our first grandchild. Hailey is two-and-a-half now and is really talking. It's amazing how smart she is and how fast she can work puzzles. I love seeing her light up when we're playing and hearing her giggle.

What's the last book you read that impacted you? How did it affect you?

I read pretty much all historical fiction, mostly for entertainment and to help me with my craft. I don't know that one has deeply affected me, other than to take me away and allow me the pleasure of time in a different era.

What are you working on now?

I'm just starting work on my first contemporary for Heartsong called A Wagonload of Trouble. It's set in Wyoming on a ranch that does wagon train tours.

Where else can readers find you or your writing online?

I have a website: www.vickiemcdonough.com Also, I'm a resident blogger on a historical blog: www.bustlesandspurs.com. My books are available at www.christianbook.com. Or people can order autographed books from me by emailing me at fictionfan1@cox.net

Thanks for allowing me to be a guest on your blog!!

Thanks for visiting with us, Vickie. Readers, Vickie has agreed to sign and send a copy of Oklahoma Brides to a winner drawn from comments left below and from this blog's subscriber list. Enter your name in both places to have two chances to win. If you leave a comment, include your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Check back on Thursday, when we'll give away a copy of Camy Tang's Single Sashimi. It's not too late to enter for Camy's book! See her interview, below.

Also on Thursday, we'll meet novelist Craig Harms, author of Day Omega. Hope to see you then!